Who Earned Their Tottenham Spurs Against Partizan?

Tottenham defeated Partizan Belgrade by a single second half goal scored by Benji Stambouli in the Europa League at White Hart Lane. Who earned their Spurs?

It was a close call but Tottenham who dominated possession (66%), goalscoring opportunities – 19 attempts on goal with 6 on target compared to Partizan’s 6 with 3 on target – had to be satisfied with a victory earned when Stambouli followed up to finish what he had started in midfield, being on hand to score when Roberto Soldado lifted the ball over the diving goalkeeper, but saw his effort rebound off the post.

At the other end of the pitch, the Tottenham defence never looked secure and throughout the game, Partizan’s quick counter-attacks troubled Spurs. It was with 6 minutes remaining that Hugo Lloris produced his customary match-saving contribution to deny Partizan. He kept out a goal-bound header from a cross after the initial free-kick had been cleared.

A clean sheet was essential and the three points took Spurs to the top of Group C as Besiktas could only draw in their game in Greece. Tottenham must now avoid defeat in Turkey in a fortnight to finish as Group winners. This would ensure that they are kept away from the clubs who drop out of the Champions League in the draw for the Round of 32 in the first knock-out stage of the competition.

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Erik Lamela looked to be creative, running from deep, and had a number of goalscoring opportunities but saw his strikes go narrowly past or be saved by the visiting goalkeeper. He kept his best for added time with a powerful shot which was tipped over by Lukac. Lamela worked hard but has to find the balance between driving on himself into a dead end and laying the ball off for a team mate.

Roberto Soldado also worked hard but had another frustrating evening. He frequently made himself available but again couldn’t find that elusive goal. Stambouli set him up, playing him in on the right of the goal and the Spaniard’s chip over the goalkeeper was perfect but came off the post. Thankfully, Stambouli had followed up. Aaron Lennon created another clear chance for the striker with a  perfect chip over the defence to put Soldado in on goal. In a central position,  six yards out, with only the goalkeeper to beat, the striker delayed and the goalkeeper was out quickly to get a block on his shot.

Benji Stambouli had a positive second half but in the first he had been caught out by the pace of the Partizan counter-attacks. With Ben Davies pushing forward, when Partizan broke quickly, Stambouli struggled to cover and was found short on a couple of occasions. When going forward he brought a first-half save from the goalkeeper in the 37th minute. After the interval, he set up and scored the all-important goal and should have added to his tally with 2 minutes remaining when Harry Kane’s header on the half-way line put him clear of the visiting defence. He headed for goal but with a clear opportunity to shoot, he opted to pass to Lamela who was up in support but the pass was too wide and gave the Argentine midfielder little opportunity to score.

As in previous Europa League games this season, Tottenham dominated possession but have always looked vulnerable to the counter-attack, conceding late goals in the last 3 matches in this competition. On this occasion, they kept the clean sheet to take all three points and qualify for the next round.

Who Earned their Tottenham Spurs against Partizan?

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